Caitlyn Jenner hits out at ‘abusive’ anti-LGBT laws
Caitlyn Jenner has hit out at new laws in the US which target the rights of trans people to use a bathroom appropriate to their gender identity.
Jenner took to her blog to say the new law in North Carolina, HB2, could lead to “abuse, aggressive and confrontational behaviour.”
“I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about what kind of message these harmful bills send, especially to transgender youth growing up in these states,” wrote Jenner in a long blog post.
She continued: “We all want safety and privacy in public bathrooms. But these anti-LGBT bills, like the ones in North Carolina and Mississippi, actually make us less safe, not more safe.”
Adding: “They open the door to abuse, aggressive and confrontational behavior in bathrooms, and encourage strangers to demand that women and girls prove that they are actually female in order to use the restroom. No one wants that.”
Jenner went on to urge followers to “listen to the stories of actual transgender people who live near you”.
“We have already seen the difference it makes!” she wrote. “In South Dakota, a group of incredibly brave trans youth shared their stories with Governor Dennis Daugaard, and he vetoed a bad bill that targeted trans people.”
President Obama, during a visit to the UK, yesterday said the bills should be “overturned”.
Hundreds of business leaders have urged the repeal of North Carolina’s HB2, and multiple celebrities have pulled out of appearances, including Ringo Starr and, Bruce Springsteen.
Springsteen was even accused of using “bully tactics” for cancelling the concert by one of the state’s Representatives.
But dozens of celebrities and hundreds of fans came to the defence of Springsteen, commending him for taking a stand.
Others such as Mumford and Sons and Cyndi Lauper have said they will appear but that they will donate their profits to LGBT rights organisations.
Mississippi also faces similar threats as Bryan Adams and Sharon Stone have pulled out of appearances there.
